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Earl Grey Lavender Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 81 reviews

This delicate Earl Grey Lavender Cake combines the fragrant notes of Earl Grey tea, lemon zest, and culinary lavender in a light, fluffy sponge. Topped with a silky cream cheese frosting infused with the same fragrant flavors, it’s a perfect elegant dessert for tea time or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Sponge Cake

  • 3 eggs, at room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour (90g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (or contents of 2 Earl Grey tea bags)
  • Zest from half a lemon

Earl Grey Lavender Milk

  • ½ tablespoon finely ground Earl Grey tea (or contents of 1 Earl Grey tea bag)
  • 1/2 cup milk (125ml)
  • 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cup + 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (250g), softened
  • 3 cups + 1 tablespoon sifted powdered sugar (400g), plus more if needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 7 oz full fat cream cheese (200g), softened
  • A pinch of salt
  • Lavender or violet gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C. Butter the sides and bottom of a cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper. No need to line the sides. Set aside.
  2. Make the sponge cake batter: Using a hand mixer, beat the eggs in a large bowl for about 1 minute until frothy. Gradually add the sugar in 2-3 batches, beating for 10 minutes, starting medium speed then increasing to high, until the batter is thick and nearly triples in volume.
  3. Incorporate dry ingredients and flavorings: Sift the flour into the egg mixture. Add vanilla, finely ground Earl Grey tea, and lemon zest. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined to avoid a dense cake.
  4. Bake the cake: Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Cool the cake: Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around edges, tap the pan to loosen cake, invert onto hand, remove pan and peel off parchment paper. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.
  6. Slice cake layers: Before assembling, carefully slice cake into 3 even layers.
  7. Prepare Earl Grey lavender milk: Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Remove from heat, add lavender and one Earl Grey tea bag. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and let cool.
  8. Make cream cheese frosting: Beat softened butter until fluffy using a hand mixer. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar in three additions, beating continuously until thick and stiff. Add vanilla, salt, and cream cheese; beat briefly until just combined. Adjust consistency with more powdered sugar if too thin or milk if too thick. Add optional gel coloring by swirling it gently with a toothpick and beating briefly.
  9. Chill frosting: Refrigerate frosting until ready to use to stiffen for easier piping.
  10. Assemble the cake: Place bottom cake layer on plate. Brush generously with Earl Grey lavender milk. Spread about ¾ cup (100g) frosting evenly to edges. Repeat for remaining layers.
  11. Crumb coat and chill: Apply a thin layer of frosting around top and sides to seal crumbs. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set.
  12. Final frosting and decoration: Smooth remaining frosting over sides and top using an offset spatula. Use remaining frosting in a piping bag with a 1M tip to pipe decorative swirls around the cake.
  13. Storage and serving: Store covered in refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Serve chilled and enjoy the fragrant, elegant cake!

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature for best volume when beating.
  • Be careful not to overmix once flour and flavorings are added to keep the sponge light.
  • If frosting becomes too runny, chill and add more powdered sugar as needed.
  • Use high quality Earl Grey tea for the best flavor.
  • The lavender should be culinary grade to ensure it is safe for consumption.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
  • The cake can be made a day ahead for better flavor melding.

Keywords: Earl Grey cake, lavender cake, cream cheese frosting, tea cake, floral cake, dessert

Find it online: https://todayfoodrecipe.com/earl-grey-lavender-cake-recipe/